Russia’s Black Sea Fleet parade

The parade featuring 30 warships, 10 auxiliary and support vessels, and a naval infantry took place in Sevastopol on May 11 on the occasion of the 225th anniversary of the Russian Black Sea Fleet.

A Bora guided missile hovercraft at a naval parade dedicated to the 225th anniversary of the Russian Black Sea Fleet that took place in Sevastopol Bay.

The Crimea, now an autonomous region within Ukraine, is Russian and a predominantly Russian-speaking territory. Since the 1991 breakup of the Soviet Union, the Crimea has unsuccessfully sought independence from Ukraine. A 1994 referendum in the Crimea supported demands for a broader autonomy and closer links with Russia.